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Aug 30

Diversity

Diversity

The Bony Pony Ranch was initially started and branded with a notion of diversity, that all individuals, through their differences, are still equal. With that unique chemistry, something powerful can happen; something memorable; something that goes way beyond a political speech, a Sunday morning sermon, or an organizational march.

As the Bony Pony Ranch begins to re-emerge in the 21st century, we hope to, somehow and someway, continue to understand, develop, and capture that experience so that those around us can feel, taste and soulfully know the power of diversity.

Yes, diversity does include working on a better understanding of each other’s ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic differences that make each of us unique, special, and constructive contributors. At the Bony Pony Ranch Foundation, diversity also goes even deeper. Its essence secretly calls us to accept our great strengths, profound talents, iconic desire to be recognized while simultaneously appreciating all of the numerous errors, human mishaps, and stupid mistakes we all do on a daily basis.

About five months ago, the Bony Pony Ranch Foundation had its launch party at the exquisite upscale Michael Aram Art Gallery in West Hollywood. Like past events, there were the elements of glamour, glitz and fashion at this red carpet event – all with a message.

But as the “glory days” of past Bony Pony Ranch days were powerfully diffusing through the Aram Gallery, there was, yet, another magical, almost mystic aroma that permeated the room.

Key moments from the event were captured by myself and program Director, Tracy “T” Yassini, our Program Director in a Sizzle Reel. A close look at the short video reveals the essence of our work.

While a highly energized, David Guetta-esque DJ from non-profit organization, “Elevate Your Game”, was pounding out the beats and getting everyone on the dance floor, a young 23-year-old Caucasian/Iranian from Beverly Hills grooved to beats right along with a young 20-year-old African American hipster from urban Los Angeles.

The moment was hard to describe and one really needed to almost be there to grasp its transcendence. These two women had just met and, yet, acted as if they had been friends for years. The universal language of music from the popping DJ had created a spirt of fun for them.

In this moment’s energized cool-buzzed atmosphere, an experience of even greater value was spontaneously ignited. Suddenly in this current crazy world, there was a magical moment that demonstrated we have a lot more in common than the often publicized world views lead us to believe. Two young women of a different race, background, and socioeconomic status were able to harmonize, move beyond preconceptions, and show mutual natural passion for each other.

Given the Bony Pony’s Ranch passion of “taking trend and blending it with tradition”, a recent song by Rapper, Machine Gun Kelly, and pop star Hailee Steinfeld, At My Best, typifies the foundation’s essence. Below are its lyrics. Besides just reading them, I would encourage downloading the song and get those “ear buds” in place. Personally, I think that the song’s beat, heart, soul will transcend far beyond its words:

Turn my vocals up, alrightI wrote this song as a message for helpOn behalf of anybody findin' they selfI wrote this letter to numb your pain'Cause everyday I wake up, I'm feelin' the sameI got issues just like you got issuesI been hurt, I seen the scar tissueIf I showed you, would you run away?Do I gotta hide 'em for you to wanna stay?Do I, even need you? Should I leave you?Do I, gotta be you, just to please you?Do I, say I'm all good, when I bleed youThrough my, heart? Quit tearin' mine apart

I shout, I swear, I get angry, I get scaredI fall, I break, I mess up, I make mistakesBut if you can't take me at my worstYou don't deserve me at my best

Got to keep it goin', got to keep my head up, uhGot to keep it goin', got to keep my head up, uhI got to keep it goin', got to keep my head up'Cause life is about, aight check this out, look

Life is about makin' mistakesIt's also about tryna be great (right)Do not let failure scare you awayI know you fed up, you fall, get upIt's all in us, I can speak about 'cause I did it (true)Ladies and gentlemen, here's the exhibitIt's my life, look a little closer, you could see the highlightGold ain't always golden but I told 'emLook at all the years I've been waitin' for a momentShed a lot of tears just to smile in the mornin'Tell me could you love me? Tell me could you love me?Tell me could you love me if I told you why?

I shout, I swear, I get angry, I get scaredI fall, I break, I mess up, I make mistakesBut if you can't take me at my worstYou don't deserve me at my best

This song's for anybody, yeahWho feels like I did, never the cool kidThis song's for anybodyWho fought their way through, always remain trueThis song's for anybodyThe one's who tryin' to get it, the one's who dream it and live itThis song's for anybodyThis song, this song, this song, this song, this song, this song

Ohh, I shout, I swear, I get angry, I get scaredI fall, I break, I mess up, I make mistakesBut if you can't take me at my worstYou don't deserve me at my best

Got to keep it goin', got to keep my head up, uhGot to keep it goin', got to keep my head up, uhI got to keep it goin', got to keep my head up'Cause life is about